Houston stadium go for launch

The Houston Dynamo organization and fans got the official
news Tuesday morning that the Harris County Commissioners Court has voted to
formally approve the Houston Dynamo Stadium project.

And for the players and coaches who made the difficult
decision to move their families from San Jose to Houston almost five years ago
with promises that a soccer stadium was on its way, the news today provided
some consolation that their personal sacrifices were justified.

“I’m happy for the guys and the fans and the front office that has
worked so hard since we moved here to Houston,” Houston coach Dominic Kinnear
said. “I always think back to the first
time we were here in December 2005 at City Hall and the whole thought behind
the move was: ‘We’re getting a stadium.’ We’ve had some great times here and I’m thrilled.”

The vote passed 5-0 at the Harris County Commissioner’s
Court. That vote, along with the City’s
vote last week, means that the major public votes are now behind the
Dynamo. The Sports Authority will now
negotiate the lease with the Dynamo and the team hopes to begin construction in
the fall of this year with hopes that stadium will open before the 2012
season.

“I think it’s awesome,” Dynamo midfielder Brad Davis said. “We’ve been waiting a long time for it and its
special for me. I’ve been in the league nine years and have never played in a
soccer specific stadium. ”

While some players moved with the franchise from San Jose, the
team’s local players like Tyler Deric provided a bit of a different perspective
on the stadium and how they believe it will impact the Houston soccer community.

“I think it’s a great thing
for Houston,” the Houston native told MLSsoccer.com. “It’s going to be a great opportunity for
soccer and for it to be more of an influence for all the players and the kids
who will enjoy the stadium. It would have been great for me growing up if I had
a stadium I could go to.”

“It’s great for the team and the community and I’m looking forward
to it,” Deric added. “Being a
Houstonian, it gives me extra incentive to work harder so that one day I can
just imagine myself [playing] and looking up at a stadium in my hometown with
the Houston skyline in the background. That would be a dream of mine.”

The contributions that the current and former Dynamo players made
on the field and as ambassadors of their sport in this city have helped pave
the way for this stadium deal.

And there was a wealth of support from the coaches, front office
staff and fans who have worked tirelessly in support of both the franchise and
the stadium.

“It’s a great city for
soccer and our fan support has been fantastic,” noted Davis. “I feel like the stadium will
help a lot and I’m looking forward to the project.”

“I think we got everyone on board finally,” noted Dynamo ‘keeper
Pat Onstad. “I understand everyone
taking their time to make sure it was the right decision. I think we’ll show in the future and the
years to come that they stuck their necks out for the right people and the
right franchise.”

Dwain
Capodice is a contributor to MLSsoccer.com.
Questions or Comments can be sent via email to dwaincapodice@gmail.com.